Quiet days

We are all so very pleased George got his first level swimming badge recently, when he started lessons he hated the pool, most of his time was spent clinging to his instructor, she had previously taught disabled children to swim so knew what to expect. He now loves the water, I will sew his badge on his robe.

 These two small books are the second and third in the Magpie series, with just over a 100 pages each, they are a quick read, I normally shy away from short stories, they complete the tale. Books 63 and 64 read this year.

I popped to B&M for a few bits, saw their seeds were 3 for price of two, these at £3.49 per packet, cost me £6.98, with good dates and ready for next season, I've used this brand before.

I am getting small harvest a couple times a week, the berries hubby and I enjoy, eating them just after picking, its far from a great year, I grow things for enjoyment, I do feel for farmers who grow for a living, this drought summer is unforgettable. 

The watch on the left I have owned for about 20 years, I've worn it almost every day, its started to run slow and the glass is scratched. I took it to a well known jeweller in town for a service and new glass, the quote was high. The watch on the right is new and £50 cheaper (sale price) than having my existing watch brought back to a wearable condition. When did our world get this crazy.

 

It's been a quiet week, not seen much of daughter and little ones, they are all tired, so they have been at home for days, we stayed away so they could relax together. I did sit with Molly and George whilst daughter took Will to see a film, they both played quietly, still loads of laughter.

We woke up on Thursday to rain, not very much just enough to wet the ground, no puddles, not enough to show in my rain measure, which is a shame as our soil is still very dry, the weather front moved north of our location.

Like almost everyone I was sad to hear the passing of Dolly Parton, I have never been a fan of country music, Dolly crossed over into her own style, the world will be a sadder place without people like her, who instead of living the high life on show to the world, she remembered her roots and took action to help so many people. 

More reading

I have not read this author before, I chose it because of its location in North Somerset, it was full of places I knew around Weston-super-mare, I worked out most of the plot, and became annoyed to all the references to previous books. Book 58 read this year. 

I tried the first book in the series, it had a better plot than the above book, again I was able to guess some of the back story before it was revealed, it was nice to know the area's located in the book, it helped bring the story to life. Book 59 read this year.

I love this author, always a great plot, living in London, Nell witness a woman's phone is snatched out of her hands, the woman gets into a car to chase the bike, then Nell reads headlines, the woman has been murdered. This one event resonates through Nell's life, still shaping the person she is today, I did not guess 'who' (as in the title). Book 60 read this year.

I have read all the Roy Grace books, this title is the latest, a train is derailed and a sniper kills one of the queens party, Roy and his team have to find evidence and work out who and why, another great plot with a lovely twist at the end. The final sentence leads to the next plot. Book 61 read this year.

Another thrilling book, a couple on a tour of Europe, whilst in Romania their passports, train tickets and money are stolen, they are removed from the train in a remote stop. Back home their lives are changed forever, their world has fallen apart and then weird things start happening, I could not put this book down, brilliant plot. Book 62 read this year.

There is very little to do in the garden, I still deadheading the flowers, everything is starting to go over, it has been a harsh summer. I am picking tomatoes, cucumbers and now raspberries, I dug out another bag of potatoes, I have one bag left. My runner-beans are starting to grow.

I have picked up my cross stitching again, now it's cooler, the heat made me feel tired most of the time, I make mistakes when I'm tired. I have been looking at my scrappy knitted blanket, hopefully I can do more, it's again too warm to knit.

I have been thinking about my 2025 blog book, I have just a few months of my post to import, I have plenty of time, the best discounts are always in November, I do enjoy the process of making my book.

We have watched a few programs on TV, we are enjoying The Great British Sewing Bee, hubby loves it as much as I do. We watched Ann Droid and loved it, I've not seen Diane Morgan before, with Sue Johnston, who I love, we both hope a second series will be made. We watched Murder 24/7, not our normal watch, we have gone back to series one. Ludwig is back on our screens, series two is as good as the first, what have you been watching.

More rain please

 I purchased two blue lavender plants for the front of this square bed, it will save me having to get bedding plants each year for the front. I have a white lavender in the middle and in each front corner there is a bleeding heat and hellebore. 

The back corners have a Chinese witch hazel and a Forsythia, in the middle is a variegated evergreen shrub, which I can't remember the name, I have gaura and astrantia  plants on both sides and an aster daisy in the middle space, I aim to fill this middle section with perennials. This bed does get sun from mid-afternoon onwards.

I popped a plastic liner in hubbies old biker boots, the plants did not survive this summer, but this pansy, which I did not plant did, very pretty. 

My pyracantha, which I planted along the back fence looks dead, it had been in the ground just a couple of years, I will leave it in hope it might come back, everything else is surviving, my white rose in the corner has not bloomed since early summer.

The ground is still very dry, digging the hole for the lavenders I quickly came to dry soil, they are planted in hope the rain due again in a few days will help them settle. For many years I mainly used bedding plants to bring colour into the gardens, I always said my flower beds were too small for all year interest. Since the garden refit 3 years ago, I have changed my planting, I still love to see blooms, I now enjoy the texture and form of plants as well, I have shrubs and perennials to ensure I have something to look at all year round.

My three flower beds are almost sorted, the heatwave has killed off a few plants, most things have survived, I'm sad I'm unable to keep the huge daisies I love alive, I have purchased many and been gifted many which have come from local gardens, none have survived.

Making...

 Wednesday morning was wet, afternoon was showers, one very heavy, later the sun came out, I enjoyed a much cooler day. As promised I'm going to bore you with my new rain measuring cup, we had 8mm, throughout the day.

Molly has been at ours on a double sleepover, she has been doing crafts, which she loves, I got some plastic shapes, which you insert bits, we used some pressed flowers I had previously made, we then collected more fresh flowers from the garden and put them in my flower press.

Pepper Pig money box, painted by Molly, I promise you there were other paint colours, not just black.

Having fun with a dolly bobbin.

Pom-poms and a friendship bracelet. 

Thursday evening  hubby was out so we had a girly evening, watching a couple of films, munching marshmallows, Molly is such good fun. Most of the yarn crafting was beyond Mollys little hands, she does love the finished items, it's enough for her to know there are many things we can make together.

I am really loving the cooler days, two days of showers has done so much for the whole garden, just steady rain, not too heavy. I got a couple blue lavender plants from our local market trader, and whilst in town I got 3 packs of small spring blooms, I resisted the tulips I have enough on order, just £15 spent, I'm having a very cheap month.

Finally

Runner beans, two are already huge, too big to eat, I will leave them to ripen for seeds, there are more on the plants and loads of flowers. 

Another cucumber ready for picking, I have one in the fridge so I will leave this one for a few days, there are loads more forming and still flowers.

Tomatoes, these from two plants, it's a poor year for them, along with home grown lettuce, we can have a salad.

Hubby took all the cuttings from the front to our local tip over the weekend, he just wanted it gone, next door did not appear, sadly she knows we will stand our ground and only verbally attacks anyone else on our property. Hubby also cleaned all the windows inside and out, nice to see them dust free, I think he was bored.

We finally have had proper rain, early this morning, it's a steady constant rain, perfect to soak into the parched soils, the last time we had rain like this was June 10th, I am hoping to see a fresh garden in the coming days. 

Seeing red

 I arrived back home late afternoon on Monday and took a walk around the garden, this beautiful dahlia is now blooming, I purchased it last month, after the initial bloom faded the plant showed no signs of growth, suddenly it has a growth spurt and loads of buds.

This pelargonium is in a big mug shaped pot on my outside table, it's loving the hot summer. 

This rose is its third lot of blooms, it's was struggling until I popped it in a big pot in a sunny place.

A deeper red in this pot, with two shades of pink.

This Gaura is from a cutting, only small this year, such a pretty shade of pink.

I had a great time with daughter and children, the accommodation was really good, plenty of space inside, not too hot, the kitchen was fully equipped, we only used the cooker top for breakfast bacon, the toaster, kettle and dish washer. The site has been extended, our area was only added in the last year, the club house area was very busy, the pools were full, other than having lunch in the restaurant, and the children having time in the arcades, we stayed at our accommodation, the children loved the hot tub, they spent most of the days in the water. Daughter took Will and Molly to a china painting session, I stayed back with George, who loved having the hot tub to himself. Molly went dancing with mummy each evening, Will was not interested in going, George would hate the crowds.

Monday we had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, it was lovely to sit outside, it felt so cool with a lovely breeze, we all agree we show a united front to our little ones, their dad might not be present in their lives, but grand parents are.

It's pure joy to be home, I slept well last night, we have nothing planned for today, just a lazy day at home, Wednesday I will pop to daughters to sit for an hour, then Molly is coming for a sleepover.

There is rain in the forecast, its cloudy and muggy, no rain here yet.

Noisy break

 Daughter booked a get away in the same holiday park as last year, under an hours drive from home, so I'm half way through a 4 day break, hubby elected to stay home with Lilly. The children loved the hot tub, with cool water, they are having more fun than at the big pool. Mummy and I have our dip later.

The evenings are cooler, thank goodness, this lovely sky on Friday evening, we are not expecting any rain, once again it will miss us.

The park is peaceful, we have an enclosed deck for George's safety, we are not using the main pools they preferred the hot tub, we spend time in arcade and it's a rest for daughter as well. Again we saw so many people show so much kindness towards George and his siblings. We went out for a cool drink and football was on the big screen, George loves football and was stood beside 3 men, after checking with us they got him a chair to sit on, on when they got their drinks they got George a juice and crisps, strangers showing so much care, 

This break is much needed, the relentless heat has kept me inside, I have little desire to go out, plus the kerfuffle with next doors lies against such a lovely man, who, keeping to all the rules to do a job of trimming back all the overgrown stuff, most of her plants are now taller than our bungalow.  I'm feeling so much better, plus it's much cooler and better for sleeping.  

Just a trim

 Our magnolia tree has put on so much growth this summer, after a poor spring with no flowers, we have had summer flowers, here before it's cut back. I have been using grey water for this tree and my acer, 

Now looking much better, we always use the same guy to keep this tree small (they can grow huge), hubby got the shredder out and all the waste is in my mulch bins, hopefully loads of mulch for next spring.

My pond is looking good, so many birds and Lilly drink from here so I keep it topped up, the water hyacinth has new growth, this area is in shade most of the day, it only gets evening sunshine in the summer months, our magnolia gives it so much shade. There are other water spots around the garden which I keep full of water for wildlife. 

The garden is not so bad, the plastic grass helps, a green lawn always makes the view better, this summer the left hand side of the garden has become our patio, which is silly as it's been a patio for 3 years, now we use the whole area, it gets sunshine all morning and into the afternoon, by mid afternoon there is shade.

Sadly our horrible neighbour has caused issues again, we got the guys to cut back the overgrown vegetation along the boundary in the front of our house, he was very professional and ensured he kept to the boundary, she came out and accused him of cutting the front section over the pavement, and started shouting. Hubby had taken photos before the work started and afterwards, needless to say, our lovely guy had not touched the front. Hubby has sent her an email as we still have the cuttings, the arborist will collect later in the week. I am hoping she is not causing him any issues, if she continues I will report her once again to police for harassment. 

Portsmouth Water who supplies our water has issued a statement, which says they have no plans to issue a hosepipe ban, their water comes from under ground water and one river, their supply is always topped up in the wetter months, and whilst levels are lower, if everyone helps they should manage through this spell. Which is brilliant news, they are known for quickly repairing any leaks as well, so their management is better than most water companies, we use as much grey water as we can. The rest of Hampshire is with Southern water, who has a terrible reputation for leaks and mismanagement. 

It's extremely sad to see huge fires in the new forest after a van caught fire on Monday which started the crisis, the main road south is still closed, and not due to open until later next week, whilst the fire is under control, its still a huge risk.

Books

Another great plot, from the first chapter you know she has stabbed someone, the story jumps between her growing up, her marriage problems to Owl cottage, trying to work out who is dead, by half way through I had decided who it wasn't, a little further I decided who it was, then twist near the end was brilliant. Book 53 read this year.

This story ran along all the expected lines, I guessed each stage, it still was a good read, her stories are always a mixture, some better than others. Book 54 read this year.

I do love this author, his stories are varied and captivating, this did not disappoint, you are a British couple house sitting in New York, when an old friend of the family visits, you don't know her, she is harmless or so you think. Book 55 read this year.

Another good plot, a student is shot at her graduation, her parents are watching, a tale of mixed issues, you think you have guessed but have you, set in Devon PI Matthew Hill is working alongside the local DCI, together they have to work out everything. Book 56 read this year.

Another great plot, two stories running together in a small seaside town, nothing usual in that, a death on the beach and a new small business close by, what could be the links, he is a master of giving you clues, which when twist are revealed it all drops into place. Book 57 read this year. 

I don't read many paperback books these days, these are my unread pile, all purchased second-hand, I use my iPad and the kindle apt, I do like to keep one title of each author I like on my shelves. The Peter James book is the latest in the DCI Roy Grace series, which I love. 

I love these shelves created in the old doorway (done before we moved in), hubby changed them and added another lower shelf, I think soon I will need another. Lilly's food bowls are kept here, they are out of the way. The top shelf is all our fun books, many we have had for years.

I do have a small bookcase in my spare bedroom, its full of books I don't need to keep, friends like to browse and take from there. My craft and other references books are in our office space. My favourite garden books are by my chair, I'm always looking at them.

Jo sent me a book by Jo Spain, The trial, she had finished reading it, I had commented I had not read this title, so she surprised me by sending her copy, I started it and realised I had read it before, last year, so if anyone would like the book please let me know, comments are not automatically published, so if you add your address I will ensure it's not shown on here. 

I don't often read in bed, we prefer not to have electronic items in our bedroom, we both have our phones by our bed, we no longer have a landlines, we don't use our phones, they are there in case there is an emergency. 

Still life

 Finally some flowers on my runner beans, I don't think I will get much of a crop, it would be nice to have at least one meal from them, only half the plants survived.

My tomatoes are finally turning red, not a great year for them, we have a few more cucumbers growing as well, both in the same bed. 

My grapevine is loving this spot, it has put on loads more growth, the raspberries on the other side are doing well, not as high as last year.  I plan to grow french beans in this space next year are they help the soil conditions for the vine.

These pelargoniums, which I still think as geraniums, whatever you call them have loved this summer, they require very little water and will thrive in poor soil conditions, all I do is remove the dead flower stalks,

As the summer progresses it's now begonia time, I love these blooms, often choosing the trailing ones for pots, the corm's stay in the pot all through the winter, as long as they don't get waterlogged they survive. 

It's a very different garden this year, so many of the flowers have finished early, it still looks good just more green than other years, I have left many of the dropped leaves around the place, they won't do any harm.

I have started a messy log pile behind our huge pot with the Olive tree in on our patio, we still regularly see our hedgehog, so I am trying to give him space nearer the house if he want's it, hubby is looking to build a house as well, I have a messy corner behind our garage and by the side of the greenhouse, both at the bottom of the garden.

I have to dig out one of my mulch dustbins in the coming days, I will add it to the veg beds, this week we are having our Magnolia cut back, the new growth is far too much this year, hubby will shred the soft wood and huge leaves, which will break down for next years mulch, normally we would do this task ourselves, in this heat it's better to watch the experts do the work.

I've had a quiet few days, housework has been done, the wooden floors get so very dusty, the spare bedroom is clean and tidy again, I have been dead heading in the garden and watering, mainly the fruit and veg section. Mostly I have been reading inside, hiding from the sun, George loves the garden so for 3 days I sat outside, I really would love a wet day, cool air, it's been cloudy most mornings and very muggy. 

Games

 I rarely have played any games on a consul, the exception was our Wii, for a while we had fun with it, my games on my phone started with Free Flow, the photo on the left is the start point the photo on the right is completed.

Then came Flow Fit, this is perfect for me I love Sudoku, this has a decent twist, the shapes are like Tetris, if you look closely I'm well past my 2000 day of playing, that's almost 6 years of playing it daily, neither of these games takes very long, just a matter of minutes, keeps my brain active.

 I do some of the New York Times games, both daughter and hubby do these, so we share our times and results, just for fun, I'm not so good with crosswords, I prefer numbers and logic games.

They added Pips, which I love, left hand photo is the start of the easy game, middle photo is the same game completed, the right hand photo is the start of the hardest level. Just daughter and I do these, again it's timed so we compare who is best. 

I have also found Arrows, below is a hard level board, there are a few levels harder than this, the aim is to remove all the arrows without crashing into another, you get three lives with this game, this one is addictive, I play it on my tablet, it's two small on my phone. I played on the coach to London and found without the internet I could play advert free.

I don't waste too much time on games, but sharing results with hubby and daughter adds to the fun, the NYT are always done in the mornings, I try and not play arrows until late afternoon. What to you do to keep your mind sharp?

This time of year in our heatwave, I spend far too much time online, I sit at my desktop most mornings, blogging and emails, afternoons I am at my most bored, with nothing much to do in the garden and it's so hot, I try and put my phone down, but a quick look can eat up hours if I'm not careful. I have to choose my next book to read.

Summer holidays.

 We are having regular visits from our small people now the summer school break is here, they are happy to play inside or out. I sorted a huge pile of A4 card for Molly, coloured, shiny and glitter, she was very happy to take them home, after their colouring at the table, they played with chalks outside, they both love the squares on the patio. Will and Molly played noughts and crosses, it's great to see them interact together. 

We met up for a walk in the woods, with enough shade to keep us cooler, there were old buildings (forts), no longer used and very overgrown, Will loved finding them, the outer path follows a ring, which brings us back to the car, it was busy there.

Plenty of benches to sit and rest. 

These two are always so happy here, Molly is having 2 nights with Grandma, George is here for 2 nights, mummy and Will are having some time together.

We took George to town on the bus, he loved the journey, it was his first time on a bus, at our bus station the supervisor was waiting as we exited the bus, George was so happy, he said hello to him, he asked George if he would like to sit in the drivers seat, one very happy little boy. 

We had a dull day on Tuesday and drizzle rain, in my rain measure just 1mm, so not enough to celebrate, it was good to see, so the end of a 54 day dry spell. The garden still needs watering to keep the veg alive. Nothing due in the coming week. We keep seeing dark clouds, still no decent amount of rain, I have never known such a dry period.

Wednesday we were out most of the day, George's disability is visual, how he acts often is different, he loves to say hello to ladies and if they answer him he often cuddles them, so many people are so kind to him, it does give me hope for his future, tomorrow I will take him home, and have an early night, he has been a very good little boy.